WHEN Sandra Hart’s life took a turn for the worse a longstanding friend was on hand to help her cope.

Sandra, 59, has had to care for her disabled husband Keith, 62, since he was left with brain damage following an assault in Hull five years ago.

But she did not have to face it alone thanks to the support of tireless fundraiser Joseph Walker.

The 60-year-old from Westbourne Grove in Teesville, has helped alleviate some of the pressure on Sandra.

She said: “My husband is deaf in one ear and has problems with his balance and memory.

“Joe has been there for us 100%.

“Without his help I don’t think we could have gone out and socialised again,” added the retired shop assistant who has known Joseph for 17 years.

Away from his day job as an electrician at Wilton, Joseph has raised around £15,000 for charity in events across Teesside.

And it is this generosity and kindness that prompted Sandra, from South Shields, to nominate him for the Gazette’s Community Champions Awards.

She said: “Joe is very kind, thoughtful and always thinks of others.

“He does a lot for the community, and goes out of his way to help others, all off his own back. He never refuses to do an event and does all this on top of having a full-time job.

“It is a pleasure to have him as a friend. He is more like a brother, I love him to bits.”

Going around clubs in the area Joseph gets the audience all shook up at charity karaoke events in which he dresses in a £1,000 Elvis Presley suit.

Most of his fundraising takes place in Teesville.

Zoe’s Place and the Eston Handicapped Fellowship are among the many charities that have benefited.

Joseph, put forward in the Community Champion category, said he was surprised to be nominated for an award.

The father-of-two, who started fundraising as a member of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, said: “I don’t do it for the awards, just so long as people are happy and the kids enjoy themselves.”